Device for steaming and for stretching or shrinking tubular fabrics



INVENTOR Mmwi M. lasanof,

BY @wml/* ATTORNEYS Nov. 9 1926.

M. M. KAsANoF DEVCE FOR STEAMING AND FOR STRETCHING OR SHRINKING TUBULAR: FABRICS Filed August 17. 1925 Patented Nov. 9, 1926.

UNITED 'sT-Miss PATENT' OFFICE.

MAURICE M. KASANOE, OF BROOKLYN, NEW XORK.

DEVICE FOR STEAMING AND FOR STRETCHING OR SHRINKING TUBULAR FABRICS. t

Application led August 17, 1925.v Serial No.450,805.

My invention relates to the steaming and stretching of tubular fabrics and has p`articular advantages in the steaming and stretching of knitted tubular fabrics. \`With present methods of stretching and steaming tubular fabrics, the fabric is distorted to an objectionable degree and this is especially true of tubular fabrics having designs involving transverse stripes or bars. .The usual methods employed stretch the fabric imevenly at different places and as a consequence with tubular fabrics having designs presenting transverse members, the members are distorted so that they no longer extend straight across-and in parallel relation but assume more or less of a curved condition.

The general object of my invention is to provide a steaming and stretching device that willresult in a uniform stretching of fabric without any distortion ofthe design presentedfby the fabric, and the use of which device will result in uniform friction between the tubular fabric and the device as the fabric is drawn over said device.

.A further object of my invention is to provide a steaming and stretching device for tubular fabrics which will possess increased efficiency and which may be employed with marked facility in the steaminghand stretching of the fabric and which may be eniployed for shrinking fabric.

The nature of my invention and its dis tinguishing features and advantages will clearly appear as the description proceeds.

Reference is to be had to the .accompanying drawings forming a part of this specification, it being understood that the drawings are merely illustrative of one example of the invention.

Figure 1 is a side elevation of a stretching and steaming device embodying my invention;

Figure 2 is an enlarged transverse vertical section in a plane indicated by the line 2-2, Figure 1;

Figures?) and 4 are cross sections respectively on the lines 3 3 and 4 4, Figure 2.

In carrying out my invention in practice, in accordance with the illustrated example., a tubular standard 10 is provided and supported thereon ,is a steam supply pipe 11. The standard 10 may be given support from a floor, table, or the like in anyapproved manner. The supply pipe 11 is here shown as a cross pipedisposed transversely of the standard 10. The numeral 12 indicates the steam inlet pipe in which is a suitableshutoff valve 13. The steam supply pipe 11 has connected therewith an elongated element 15. The element l15 advantageously in prac- 60 tice is in the form of al steam pipe'and in the illustrated example, it is shown vertical to constitute a standard. It is to be understood'- that the elongated element 15 and the head 16 hereinafter described may be dis- 65 posed horizontally, vertically, or at any intermediate angle'. Steam passes from the elongated element 15 to a cylindrical head 16. In the connection between the standard 10 and the supply pipe 11 is a drain cock 14 70 to permit the Water of condensation forming in the standard 15 and pipe 11 to flow to the standard 10 when the cock 14 is open. The head 16 is preferably circular or oval. in cross section except at the supply end- 17 75 to which the steam is supplied from standard 15. Other cross sections are how-every serviceable. Said end 17 presents a tapered zone for the ready movement of the fabric A to and along the head 16. Steam jets 18 are 80 provided so that steam may escape from the hollow interiorof head 16 to the exterior thereof. In the illustrated example lf have shown two annular series of jet orifices 18 and each series is shown asleading to an annular external groove 19 formedin the head 16. y The provision of the grooves 19 insures an even distribution of the steam about the fabric and also prevents the-fabric A from closing or partially closing the jet orifices 18. Above the jet` orifices 18 lf frm the head 16 with an annular external bead 20 which enlarges the tubularl fabric annularly and provides a chamber directly beneath the bead 20 between the same and the jet orifices 9 in which steam may accumulate to insure that the steam is' applied to the fabric over its Whole internal surface. 'llhe said bead 20 furthermore acts to stretch the fabric and distend the same laterally which results in lo@ facilitating the movement of` the tubular fabric over the major area of the head 16.

In the useof the device the head 16 is unscrewed from standard 15 and the tubular fabric is then placed on said standard 15. rlhe head 16 is now' replaced on the standard 15 and the fabric drawn forwardly over said head 16, the tapered zone 17 facili tating this step. rlhe fabric may be drawn manually over head 16 or by any suitable means, a lrnownarrangement of drawing rollers B being indicated in part in dotted lines in Figure 2. "lhe standard is in practice of a length to accommodate tubular fabrics of the maximum length for which the devide is to be employed, Similarly, the head 16 above the bead/20, it will be observed, has`substantial elongation so that the fabric `remains on the/ head for a con. siderable period, the purposel being topartially dry the fabric by reason of the fact that said head 1 6 is heated to a substantiah degree by the presence of the steam therein.

The device may be employed for shrinking a large tubular fabric "as well as for stretching a comparatively small tubular fabric. lhis .is so because when a large fabric is drawn over the head 16, and steamed, the steaming 'tends to give a shrinking eect.A Y

f Flat fabrics mayl be subject-ed to the stretching or shrinking action of the device by temporarily sewing the )longitudinal side edges of the latI fabric to give it a tubularl form. l I

f 'lo effect a steaming of the fabric both interiorly and exteriorly and especiallyhaving in mind thick fabrics, l provide an annular steam pipe 21 having a suitable ,inlet member 22 to receive connection with a steam pipe branch 24, and having at the inner peripheryl jet orities '23 to direct steam radially inward against the exterior surface of the fabric. Said steam pipe 21 extends entirely about the head 16 and leaves room for the passage of the fabric between the dsame and thev external surface( of the hea l would state in conclusionthat While 'the illustrated example constitutes a practical embodimentl of my invention, l do not limit myself strictlyto then exact details herein illustrated, since, manifestly, the same canl be considerably varied without departurev from the'spirit of the invention as defined in the appended claims.

may be drawn, said head adapted to receive a supply of steam and having jet orifices to permit the steam to pass from the interior to the external surface of the head, and a bead extending about the exterior of the head, said head beyond said bead being elongated to constitute drying means.

2. ln 'a device of the class described, a hollovs7 head over which` a tubular fabric maybe drawn, said head adapted at one end to receive a supply of'steam and having jet orifices adjacent-said end to permit steam to pass from the interior of the head to the externalwsurface thereof;` together with a bead extending about said head at the exterior, said bead disposed adjacent the jet orifices so that a steam space is formed between the jet orifices and the bead.

3..ln a device of the class described, a hollow head over which a' tubular fabric may be drawn, said head adapted to receive ,steam and form jet orifices in which the steam may pass to the'exterir of )the head, together with a bead on said head adjacent the jet orifices for distending the fabric laterally. l

4. ln afdevice of the class described, a lhead over which a tubular fabric may be drawn, said yhead adapted to receive a supplyiof steam and having jet orifices to permit escape of the steam to the exterior, for steaming the tubular fabric atthe interior, and a steam' pipe extending about the head and y'having jet orifices adapted to ldirect A'steam radially inward against the external surface of the fabric. f

5. ln a device of the class described, a head over which a tubular -fabric may be drawn, and a steam pipe surrounding said head and having jet orifices for the escape of the steam at tliedinner periphery of sald pipe.

MAURICE M. KASANOF. 

